Dive Reports – August 2023
Take a look at our dive reports from August 2023! We’ve detailed what we saw, the temperature and visibility, and surface conditions of the Solitary Islands in Coffs Harbour in August 2023.
Dive Reports – Table of Contents:
5th August 2023 – 30m Visibility
The East Australian Current is back and wow the visibility is good!!
Dive one was at Buchanan’s Wall as the current up the top end was very strong when we first arrived. We had 2-3 Turtles, Lionfish, Schools of Fusiliers and Pomfreds and two Red Rock Cod having a biff!!
Dive two was a drift from Shark Gutters down to The Gantry. There was 10-12 Grey Nurse near the bottom of the mooring and schools of fish along Boulder Wall.
Once arriving at The Gap the divers and snorkellers were welcomed by 5-6 Turtles, Blue Tangs, Eagle Rays and Yellow Boxfish in the wreckage.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 19°C-20°C
- Visibility: 25m-30m
Dive Report by Lindsay
6th August 2023- VISIBILITY IS BACK
2Wild and its divers headed to South Solitary this morning for some awesome diving in VERY blue water!!!!
For our first dive, one group descended at Shark Gutters and drifted to the gantry whilst the other group of students got in at the Gantry. Marine life seen on this dive were Grey Nurse Sharks, Octopus, a couple Green Sea Turtles, loads of Old Wives, and plenty of Wobbegongs.
After morning tea, all divers descended at Shark Gutters! After a very warm welcome from the Grey Nurse Sharks in the gutters, divers explored boulder wall and saw Black Cod, QLD Groper, an Eagle Ray, Cuttlefish, and listened to the beautiful Humpback Whales singing in the near distance!
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 20°C
- Visibility: 30m
Dive Report by Teagan
9th August 2023- SPECTACULAR SOUTH SOLITARY
Avoiding the cloudy skies, 2Wild loaded up with divers very keen for a nice mid-week break!
The top end of South Solitary looked promising so all of our divers descended at Shark Gutters. During descent, a cheeky Green Sea Turtle came to say hello to our Open Water Students. Memorable marine animals seen were around a dozen Grey Nurse Sharks in Cleaner Station, a couple Octopus on Boulder Wall, a Yellow Longnose Butterfly Fish, and a few active Wobbegongs!
After morning tea, all divers were keen to keep exploring the top end so we descended again at Shark Gutters. Divers saw three Eagle Rays, looooads of schooling fish, more Grey Nurse Sharks, lots of Nudibranchs, White Eyed Mooray Eel’s, some rather big Black Cod, Spanish Dancers, and a Blue Angelfish.
Congratulations Courtney, Luis, and Kristal on completing your PADI Open Water Diver Course!!!
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 20°C
- Visibility: 20m-30m
Dive Report by Teagan
12th August 2023- Whaley Good Day
2Wild and its divers loaded up and made their way to South Solitary Island this morning.
One group of divers dropped in at Manta Arch, while the other group dropped in at Cleaner Station. Marine life seen were Grey Nurse Sharks, Nudibranchs, lots and lots of Schooling Fish, five or six Bat fish, and some White Eyed Morays.
Our surface interval was filled with Humpback Whales making an appearance! Our snorkelers had an up close experience with a whale coming to say hello 😊
After morning tea, divers descnded at Cleaner again and made their way down the island to The Gantry. On this dive, we saw more Grey Nurse Sharks, both a Loggerhead Turtle and Green Sea turtle, and a Mosaic Moray,
Congratulations Tom and Ruby for completing your PADI Open Water Diver Course!
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 19°C
- Visibility: 20-25m
Dive Report by Teagan
13th August 2023- Gentle Giant Greets Divers
2Wild filled up with keen divers and stormed out to South Solitary Island this sunny morning for some glorious diving!
Some of our certified divers rolled in at Manta Arch and made their way around Cleaner Station, whilst others descended at Cleaner Station. Notable marine life seen on this dive were some playful Octopus, loads of Nudibranchs and a Bubble Shell, a Green Sea Turtle, a magical Eagle Ray, lots of schooling fish, and of course our resident Grey Nurse Sharks!
After watching some whale activity on our surface interval, divers took the opportunity to drift from Cleaner to South Boulder!
On this dive, a Numb Ray was seen, Black Cod, a school of Kingfish, a LoggerHead Turtle, a Hawksbill Turtle, a Green Sea Turtle, and… a Juvenile Humpback Whale!!! Divers completed their safety stop and were greeted by a gentle giant swimming underneath them!
Congratulations Riley and Olivia for completing their PADI Open Water Diver Course!
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 19°C
- Visibility: 15-20m
Dive Report by Teagan
26th August 2023- sharky saturday
2wild loaded up this morning with keen divers and headed out to South Solitary Island for some good diving!
Upon arrival, the top end looked like great conditions so we took advantage and slipped in at Manta Arch! Divers had a look around the gutter and headed around the corner to Cleaner Station. 10-15 Grey Nurse Sharks were cruising around, 5 of them being some very large pregnant females!! A school of Travelly were hanging around the mooring, accompanied by some very beautiful Humpback hymns in the back!
After morning tea on our Surface interval, divers descended at Cleaner Station again and drifted their way down to the Gantry! On this diver, notable marine life seen were six more Grey Nurse were seen around The Gap, massive Bullrays swimming past Boulder Wall, and some itty bitty Yellow Boxfish in the wreckage!
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 20°c
- Visibility: 10m-15m
Dive Report by Teagan
27th August 2023 – Cool Temp brings the Sharks
The dives at South Solitary Island this morning were great, and regardless of the visibility and water temp everyone had an awesome time.
Dive one, we dropped a few people at Manta Arch to do a slightly deeper dive while the Open Water Students got in at Cleaner Station for their very first dives. There were a few Grey Nurse Sharks around, Lionfish, schools of Tarwhine, Sweep and some huge Wobbegongs.
Dive two was at Shark Gutters. We had the whole dive to explore the northern end and gutters. There was lots of different Nudibranchs around, cute little Cuttle Fish, Moray Eels, Orangutang Crabs, Green Sea Turtles, and Grey Nurse Sharks.
Unfortunately we spotted a few Grey Nurse Sharks with hooks and fishing gear trailing from them.
We also have photos and a video of this male Grey Nurse Shark which we think has a horrific genetic deformity of its spine. If anyone knows any more of this let us know.
Check out our Facebook link Here for the video of this rare shark.
Congratulations to Anna who finished her PADI Open Water Course today.
Conditions Report:
- Temperature: 18-19°C
- Visibility: 8m-15m
Dive Report by Lindsay
